Royal Opera House Music Director Antonio Pappano has been awarded the honour of Cavaliere di Gran Croce dell’Ordine al merito della Repubblica Italiana by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

The Maestro, also conductor of Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, was invested with the honour at a ceremony in Rome. The award supersedes the award of Commendatore that he received in 2008 and is the highest ranking honour of the republic. It may be awarded to those in the fields of the arts, economy, public service, for humanitarian activities as well as in recognition of long civilian and military careers.